Connection is rough for those of us who are disabled, chronically ill, or care-givers. Yet, God created us for fellowship, for connection.

For His children, He gave us the “one-another” passages. Passages that help us know how to relate with and to connect with one another.

Even though we are isolated, we still have the need to connect. We still have the “one another” guidances from our Father. We may have to be a bit more creative in fulfilling them, but they are indeed for us.

We are going to spend a bit of time going through them. As per our usual, we are going to slowly walk through the passages.

Today, we are going to start with perhaps the most important one. Love one another. “Love one another” is listed 19 times within 16 passages. When God repeats something in Scripture, we should sit up and take notice. Let’s begin strolling through the “love one another” passages.

John 13:34-35

^“34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

This is a new commandment from Jesus: love as He loved. Jesus loves you and I so much that He willingly came to earth as a man to die in your place, in my place. He suffered for us. He laid down His life for us. We need to love each other selflessly and sacrificially. The good news is that we can do that even in our isolated life.

• This love may look like reaching out to others going through rough times. We can share the comfort we receive from God. Depending on the person and situation, this can be with notes, emails, text or calls. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
• We can watch for ways to make our care-givers (or family’s) lives easier and be patient when they do not quickly assist with our needs. It is so easy to get caught in our own little world and be frustrated or disappointed when our able-bodied friends or family do not assist. It is easy to be grumpy when we don’t feel good instead of intentionally being kind even when we don’t feel like it. This is putting their needs ahead of our own. (Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32)
• We can show God’s love to our medical professionals by asking how they are, praying for them, and even sending thank you cards. They hear many complaints. God can assist us in showing them love.

Oh, there are so many more ways we can show God’s love on a daily basis even in isolation. This may be in seemingly little ways which can make a big difference.

Did you see why showing God’s love is important? It is because this love is how people will know that we are His disciples. It is through His love that we can bring glory to Him as well as draw others to Him. They will see His difference, His love in our lives.